This article presents a carefully verified and corrected overview of Nigerian record labels owned by artists. It distinguishes clearly between fully registered record labels, artist-owned imprints, and creative collectives, avoiding assumptions and misinformation that often circulate online. Every entry here reflects documented ownership, public business structure, or clearly acknowledged imprint usage within the Nigerian music industry.
This article is part of our ongoing reference guide on
Top Record Labels In Nigeria,
where we analyze labels, distributions, and artist-led business structures shaping Nigeria’s music ecosystem.
Artist-owned labels in Nigeria do not all operate the same way. Some function as full-scale record companies with signed rosters, while others exist as imprints, lifestyle brands, or release platforms tied closely to a single artist’s career. Understanding this difference is essential to avoid misleading conclusions.
Jump List: Nigerian Artist-Owned Labels
Below is a verified jump list for readers looking for a specific artist-owned label.
- YBNL Nation – Olamide
- Starboy Entertainment – Wizkid
- Davido Music Worldwide – Davido
- Spaceship Collective – Burna Boy
- Flyboy Inc – Kizz Daniel
- Plutomania Records – Shallipopi
- Zeh Nation – Portable
- Stormrex Entertainment – Ikechukwu
- Chocolate City Artist Imprints
YBNL Nation – Olamide
YBNL Nation is one of Nigeria’s most established artist-owned record labels. Founded by rapper and songwriter Olamide Adedeji, YBNL operates as a full record label with structured artist signings, management, branding and release systems.
YBNL has signed and developed several successful Nigerian artists over the years, contributing significantly to the mainstream and street-pop movement. Unlike informal imprints, YBNL functions as a proper label entity with long-term artist development, marketing and distribution strategies.
Olamide’s ownership of YBNL is direct and undisputed, making it one of the clearest examples of an artist-owned record label in Nigeria.
Starboy Entertainment – Wizkid
Starboy Entertainment was founded by Wizkid following his departure from Empire Mates Entertainment. The label operates as a formal imprint and entertainment company through which Wizkid releases music and signs select artists.
Starboy has had artists signed at various points, and it functions as both a creative brand and a music business entity. Wizkid retains executive control while partnering with distributors and industry collaborators for global reach.
Starboy reflects a hybrid model — part label, part brand — but remains artist-owned and operational within the Nigerian music industry.
Davido Music Worldwide – Davido
Davido Music Worldwide (DMW) is a record label founded by Davido. Unlike informal artist collectives, DMW has operated as a signing label with publicly announced artists, structured contracts and release plans.
The label has played a notable role in launching and amplifying multiple Nigerian artists. Davido serves as founder and executive figure, with business operations supported by management and distribution partners.
DMW qualifies as a full artist-owned record label rather than an imprint alone.
Spaceship Collective – Burna Boy
Spaceship Collective is Burna Boy’s official music and creative company. Unlike earlier misinformation suggesting Burna Boy has no label structure, Spaceship is a recognized entity through which Burna Boy releases music and manages brand operations.
Spaceship operates primarily as a collective and imprint rather than a mass-signing label. It focuses on Burna Boy’s releases, creative direction, touring and branding. At various points, artists and creatives have been affiliated with the collective, though it does not function like a traditional roster-based label.
Spaceship represents a modern artist-owned structure where brand control and creative ownership take priority over large-scale artist signings.
Flyboy Inc – Kizz Daniel
Flyboy Inc is the record label founded by Kizz Daniel after his exit from G-Worldwide. The label is fully artist-owned and functions as a structured imprint for music releases and artist management.
Flyboy Inc has signed artists and operates as a business entity, handling releases, branding and partnerships. Kizz Daniel retains executive ownership and creative control over the label.
Flyboy Inc stands as one of the most credible post-label-exit artist-founded record labels in Nigeria.
Plutomania Records – Shallipopi
Plutomania Records is the label founded by Shallipopi. It functions primarily as an artist-owned imprint supporting his music, branding and associated creatives.
While still emerging, Plutomania represents the new generation of Nigerian artist-owned labels built around viral growth, digital culture and street-driven fan bases. Its structure is lean, artist-focused and brand-oriented.
Plutomania reflects how newer artists are adopting ownership early in their careers rather than relying entirely on traditional labels.
Zeh Nation – Portable
Zeh Nation is Portable’s self-owned label and movement. It operates as a grassroots artist-owned structure used for music releases, branding and identity.
Though informal in operation compared to legacy labels, Zeh Nation is clearly artist-owned and functions as Portable’s independent platform. It emphasizes autonomy, direct fan connection and street credibility.
Zeh Nation represents the raw, independent end of artist-owned labels in Nigeria.
Stormrex Entertainment – Ikechukwu
Stormrex Entertainment is an artist-founded label established by rapper Ikechukwu. It functioned as an early example of Nigerian artists attempting independent ownership and structured releases.
While not as commercially dominant as newer labels, Stormrex remains historically relevant as part of Nigeria’s transition toward artist-controlled music ventures.
Chocolate City Artist Imprints
Chocolate City itself is not artist-owned; however, several artists under Chocolate City have operated imprints or executive release structures within the label ecosystem.
These imprints do not qualify as independent artist-owned labels but demonstrate how artists can exercise executive control while still operating under a parent label framework.
This distinction is critical: not every artist-led initiative qualifies as an independent label.
Understanding The Difference Between Labels, Imprints And Collectives
A recurring source of misinformation in Nigerian music discourse is the failure to separate:
Record labels – Registered companies that sign, manage and develop artists.
Imprints – Artist-controlled release platforms often under distribution partnerships.
Collectives – Creative brands centered around a single artist or movement.
All three exist in Nigeria, but they are not interchangeable.
Industry Impact Of Artist-Owned Labels
Artist-owned labels have reshaped Nigerian music by promoting ownership, reducing exploitative contracts, and encouraging independence. They have also created alternative paths for artists outside traditional label systems.
However, not all artist-owned structures are designed for large-scale artist development. Many exist to protect personal catalogs and brands rather than build new stars.
Conclusion
Nigerian record labels owned by artists range from fully structured companies like YBNL and DMW to modern imprints and collectives like Spaceship, Flyboy Inc and Plutomania. Understanding these differences is essential for accuracy, credibility and proper industry education.
This article corrects common misconceptions and provides a verified reference point for readers, artists and industry observers seeking factual clarity.
